Fragmentation projectile



July 16, 1963 R. G.HARPER 3,097,603

FRAGMENTATION PROJECTILE Filed Nov. 12. 1959 2 Sheefs-Sheet 1 INVENTORZ RICHARD G. HARPER,

BYWMQ M ATTORNEYS July 16, 1963 R. G. HARPER FRAGMENTATION PROJECTILE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 12, 1959 FIGS.

|NVENTOR RICHARD G. HARPER w v ATTORNEYS Bflfilfifid Patented July 16, 1963 3,097,603 FRAGMENTATIGN PRQHECTELE Richard G. Harper, 330 E. th Ave., Denver 3, Cole. Filed Nov. 12, 1959, Ser. No. 852,402 4 Claims. (Cl. 1102-91) This invention relates to projectiles and particularly to bullets and larger projectiles intended to be fired in rifled firearms and to break into small pieces to provide a scatter-shot pattern during flight.

Projectiles of the automatic fragmentation type intended for use in rifled firearms have been known heretofore. Various difficulties have been encountered in the use and performance of such projectiles. For example, irregular and non-uniform bursting characteristics have rendered some of these designs unsatisfactory for use at extended ranges. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fragmentation projectile for use in rifled firearms.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved projectile for rifled firearms which may be employed selectively either as a ball type projectile or as scatter shot.

Briefly, in carrying out the objects of this invention in one embodiment thereof, a projectile is constructed from a plurality of elongated elements which fit together to form a bullet-shaped body and are held in their assembled relationship by a thin soft metal jacket. Each of the elements is cut or divided to provide a plurality of sections joined by a thin bridge or portion of the ele ment adjacent the outer periphery of the projectile. The cuts are arranged so that they extend from the center outwardly and slightly forwardly and are also at a slight angle to the longitudinal axis of the projectile so that they will lie normal to the rifling of the firearm with which the projectile is to be used. Adjacent the inner edge of each of the divisions of the elements there is formed a relieved portion or recess which provides a pocket or open space, the recesses of the several elements forming an enlarged pocket near the center of the projectile. The point of the projectile is formed so that a sharp instrument may be inserted through the soft metal casing to break the casing and pry the points of the elements apart so that during flight of the projectile air will enter the center thereof and reach the first pocket. The pressure of the air entering the projectile during flight bends the first set of segments of the elements backwardly and exposes the second pocket and then succes sive pockets so that efiective fragmentation of the projectile results. The slight forward direction of the cuts bet-ween segments facilitates this separation.

In another embodiment of the invention the projectile is provided with a central hollow passage which is lined with a rigid tube extending forwardly past the first pocket. This tube provides the desirable characteristics of a hollow core projectile and the casing is arranged to surround the elements except for the open entrance at the front end of the projectile. When it is desired to fire the projectile as a fragmentation type, the forward end is opened by a suitable tool to break the casing and expose the first pocket outside the rigid tube so that fragmentation is secured in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The tool employed comprises a cup for shaping the external walls of the projectile while forming the passage to the first pocket and insures uniform deformation when the projectile is to be fired for fragmentation purposes.

The features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this application. The invention both as to its organization and method of op eration together with further advantages thereof may be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a projectile embodying the invention;

FIG. 2. is a sectional view along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the projectile turned 45 from its position in FIG. 1 and indicating the direction of the segmental cuts;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of the projectile illustrating the shape of the segments;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the projectile taken along the line 1-1 of FIG. 2 with the forming tool applied to deform the projectile for use for fragmentation purposes;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken generally along the line 1-1l of FIG. 2 and showing two of the elements of the projectile in the course of fragmentation;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating the application of the tool to the embodiment of FIG. 7; and

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are views similar to those of FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, respectively, illustrating a further embodiment of the invention, FIGS. 9 and 10 being taken along the line 99 of FIG. 10.

Referring now to the drawings, the projectile shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 comprises an elongated bullet-shaped body 10 which is formed by four inter-fitting longitudinal elements 11 enclosed with a thin shell 12 of copper or other soft metal which is preferably made somewhat thicker about the forward end of the projectile. This shell is shown in section in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 1 being a view of the projectile with two of the sections 11 re moved to show the inside faces of the back two elements. A base plate 13 at the rear of the projectile completes the outer walls and provides a plate against which the pressure of the burning powder is exerted to propel the projectile from the firearm.

Each of the elements 1*]. is divided or segmented by a plurality of outs 14- in the main body portion and a cut 15 in the reduced nose portion of the projectile. Thus each element comprises a row of interfitting complementary sections. Each of the cuts 14 terminates in a relieved or cut-away portion -16 at the center and the cut 15 terminates in a similar cut-away portion 17. The cut-away portions of the four elements form a series of pockets along the central axis of the projectile. The tips of the elements at the forward end or nose of the projectile are cut away along planes l8 and the recess thereby formed is filled with a soft metal body or plug 19 which may be of lead or other easily deformed metal and fills the space between the jacket 12 and the ends of the elements.

As shown in FIG. 3 the cuts 14 and 15 have been made at a slight angle to the longitudinal axis of the projectile, this angle being selected so that the cuts at the outer periphery lie at right angles to the rifling of the firearm with which the projectile is to be used. By locating the cuts in this manner, torsion and possible separation of the elements and undesired deformation of the projectile during passage through the barrel of the firearm are minimized. It will be understood that the soft metal jacket 12 also helps to prevent such deformation. In addition to locating the cuts at a slight angle to the longitudinal axis so that they lie normal to the rifling, the cuts are also made to extend forwardly and outwardly from the center of the projectile. The effect of this slight forward angle is twofold; first it facilitates separation of the segments from one another when the projectile is to be used as a scatter shot or fragmentation type; and second, it causes shattering of the projectile upon impact directly or on occurrence of ricochet; the manner in which this is effected is explained below.

The configuration and arrangement of the segments will be further understood on reference to FIG. 4 which is an exploded view showing the two rear sets of segments of the four elements separated from one another and from the base plate 13, the rear set of elements being indicated by the numeral 20 and the next forward set by the numeral 21. The forward faces of the elements have been designated by the numerals 14 indicating the cuts along the segment, and it will be understood that each of the elements along its outer periphery adjacent the faces 14 has a broken section Where it has been detached from the adjacent element. The elements 20 have rear walls in planes normal to the longitudinal axis of the projectile so that they fit against the backing plate 13. The elements '21 have rear faces conforming to the forward faces of the elements 20.

The projectile as just described may be fired as a solid shot, the segments remaining in their assembled position throughout the flight of the projectile. If it is desired to secure a scatter shot operation, the end of the projectile is opened to split the casing 12 about the forward segments and admit air to the pocket formed by the cut-away portion 17. Thus when the projectile leaves the firearm the air entering the pocket causes the forward segments to bend baclcward ly, whereupon successive segments break away as indicated generally in FIG. 6, the air reaching each successive pocket as the segments in front are separated. The centrifugal force on the segments due to the spinning of the projectile greatly facilitates the separation of the segments of fragmentation of the projectile.

A tool suitable for effecting the separation of the forward segments is shown in FIG. 5 and comprises a handle 23 and a cupped body portion 24, the cup of the body portion being formed to the shape of the projectile after spreading of the nose piece and being provided with a pointed central projection 25 which enters the nose piece. The nose piece deforms the soft metal jacket and end plug 19 and separates the forward segments, thereby opening a passage to the pocket formed by the cuts 17 and spreading the cuts 15. The inner wall of the tool shapes the outer wall of the projectile to keep it symmetrical and assure accuracy in flight until fragmentation occurs.

During the flight of the projectile after deformation of the front end, the jacket and connecting portion of the elements 11 at the periphery is bent back and each segment in turn breaks away from the one behind it. Before breaking, however, the segment behind is moved outwardly to admit air to successive pockets as indicated above. The weaker rearward walls of the shell 12 serve to allow ready breaking of the shell after the heavier forward portion has been deformed or broken. The slight forward inclination of the cuts 14 facilitates the outward movement and breaking apart because the rotation of the rear face of each segment about its outer edge wedges the next rearward segment outwardly and admits air to the next central pocket. The same forward angle acts upon impact of the projectile, when not fragmented, to cause a shattering with the rearward segments moving out radially aided by the forwardly sloping surfaces.

The projectile as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 may be made in a wide range of sizes for both small arms and heavier weapons and artillery pieces. When employed in rifles of .30 caliber and upwards, it makes it possible for a hunter to employ a single rifled arm for firing both the ball type ammunition and scatter shot. This invention makes it possible to employ a rifled firearm for scatter shot operation without the undue leading or fouling of the barrel which is caused when conventional scatter shot are fired in a rifle. Furthermore, a uniform and effective pattern is provided because of the consistent break-away characteristics of the segments in each of the four elements 11.

The modification of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 employes essentially the same construction as that of the first modification and corresponding parts have been designated by the same numerals with the addition of the suffix letter a. This projectile differs from that of the first modification in that it is of the tubular type, it having a central passage extending entirely through the body portion but closed by the base plate 13a during firing. The segments 11a are similar to the segments 11 of the first embodiment, but of courseterminate at the central passage. This passage is formed by a metal tube 27 extending from the plate 13a partially through the foremost segments in the nose of the projectile, the remainder of the passage being formed in the nose portions of the elements 11a and being flush with the internal passage in the tube 27.

The cuts 14a are essentially the same as the cuts 14 of the first embodiment. However, the cut 15a is made to extend forwardly and outwardly in the same manner as the cuts 14a in order to facilitate the opening :of the first pocket 17a when the projectile is fired for fragmentation purposes. This provides the pres.- sure against the forward end of the tube 27 to effect opening of the first pocket. The tool employed with this embodiment of the invention is similar to that of the first embodiment and is shown in FIG. 8. The central projection 25a is arranged to spread the forward segments of the elements 11a sufficiently to allow air to enter the spaces bet-ween the forward elements and the outer wall of the tube 27.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, an auxiliary member is provided to assure easy breaking apart of the soft metal case. As shown in FIG. 9, the projectile comprises a plurality of segmental sections 30 and similar tip or fore end sections 31 which are held in assembled relation by a soft metal casing 32. A rear plate or retaining disc 33 is provided at the back of the projectile and internal pockets 34 are formed in a maner similar to the pockets 16 and 17 of the projectile of FIG. 1. The point of the projectile is provided with a filling 35 of lead or other soft metal which facilitates the deformation of the point when it is desired to secure the fragmentation action. The forward Segments 31 are relieved at the point to provide a relatively open arrangement which is filled with the metal 35 and which affords easy opening when desired, such opening being accomplished by the use of a sharp instrument or a tool such as that shown in FIG. 8.

In order to facilitate the tearing apart of the casing 32, each of the forward segments 31 has embedded or otherwise secured thereto one end of a wire 37. This wire extends rearwardly along the projectile in a recess or groove formed in the respective elements 30 as clearly indicated at 38 in FIG. 10' and the rearward end of the wire is bent at right angles and held between the rear segments 30 and the base plate 33.

When the projectile is in flight and has had its forward end opened to remove the soft metal 35 and break the casing, the pressure of the air at the central passages combined with the centrifugal force due to rotation of the projectile causes the forward segments 31 to spin outwardly and carry the for-ward end of the wires 37 outwardly thereby tearing the casing 32 as shown in FIG. 11. This tearing of the casing then releases the remaining segments 30 which spin outwardly and break off as they spin, thereby producing the required fragmentation effect. The casing 32 for this construction may be a thin copper shell and the wires 37 are preferably made of steel. The operation of the wires 37 due to the centrifugal force acting on the segments 31 provides a fast fragmentation of the projectile to produce the desired substantially uniform pattern upon bursting.

While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, various modifications and other applications will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired that the invention be limited to the details illustrated and described and it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A fragmentation projectile for rifled firearms which comprises a plurality of longitudinal elements each comprising a row of complementary sections and said elements interfitting to form a bullet-shaped body, a soft metal casing enclosing said elements and holding them in assembled relationship, said sections being formed to provide pockets near the central longitudinal axis of the projectile and between adjacent sections, the soft metal of said casing being deformable to break said casing near the tip of the projectile for affording access to said pockets from the front end to admit air under pressure during flight of the projectile and initiate bursting of said casing and scattering of said section, and a plurality of wires each attached to the foremost section of a respective one of said elements of the projectile and extending rearwardly between the elements and said casing and being anchored therebetween at their rearmost ends whereby upon breaking out of said tip sections said wires tear said casing due to the centrifugal force on said tip sections and free the remaining sections for fragmentation of the body.

2. A fragmentation projectile for rifled firearms which comprises a plurality of longitudinal elements assembled to form a bullet-shaped body, each element extending the length of said body and at least one element having a separate section at its forward end, a soft metal casing enclosing said elements to hold them in assembled relationship, an elongated flexible member attached to said separate section at the forward end of said body and extending rearwardly between said casing and said body and having its rearmost portion anchored therebetween, and means affording access to the front end of said body through said casing for admitting air under pressure during flight of the projectile to initiate the breaking up of said body whereby when said section is released the centrifugal force thereof tears said member through said casing to release said elements.

3. A fragmentation projectile for rifled firearms which comprises a multiplicity of aligned separate pieces assembled to form a bullet-shaped body, a soft metal casing for retaining said pieces in said assembled relationship forming said body, elongated flexible members secured to the forwardmost of respective ones of said aligned pieces at the forward end of said bullet-shaped body and extending rearwardly under said casing and along said body and being secured therebetween by clamping action, and means at the forward end of said body for admitting air between said pieces at the forward end of said body whereby upon flight of said projectile said forward pieces separate from said body and said elongated members are drawn through and tear said casing due to the centrifugal forces on said forward pieces to facilitate the release and scattering of the remaining pieces of said body.

4. A fragmentation projectile for rifled firearms which comprises a plurality of longitudinal rows of complementary segments interfitting to form a bullet-shaped body, a soft metal casing holding said rows of segments in assembled relationship to form said body, elongated members secured to the forwardmost segments and extending rearwardly under said casing along said body and being anchored therebetween at their rearmost ends, and means at the forward end of said body for admitting air between said forwardmost segments whereby upon flight of the projectile said forwardmost segments separate and said elongated members are drawn through and tear the casing due to the centrifugal forces on said forwardmost segments to facilitate the release and scattering of the re maining segments of said body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 50,535 Hiscock Oct. 17, 1865 90,732 Curtis June 1, 1869 112,274 Paine Feb. 28, 1871 122,620 Maduell Jan. 9, 1872 216,974 Rice July 1, 1879 219,491 Mason Sept. 9, 1879 221,249 Nowlan Nov. 4, 1879 1,017,928 Tocik Feb. 20, 1912 1,376,530 Greener May 3, 1921 1,536,164 Tainton May 5, 1925 1,681,295 Johnson Aug. 21, 1928 2,290,851 Addicks July 28, 1942 

4. A FRAGMENTATION PROJECTILE FOR RIFLED FIREARMS WHICH COMPRISES A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINAL ROWS OF COMPLEMENTARY SEGMENTS INTERFITTING TO FORM A BULLET-SHAPED BODY, A SOFT METAL CASING HOLDING SAID ROWS OF SEGMENTS IN ASSEMBLED RELATIONSHIP TO FORM SAID BODY, ELONGATED MEMBERS SECURED TO THE FORWARDMOST SEGMENTS AND EXTENDING REARWARDLY UNDER SAID CASING ALONG SAID BODY AND BEING ANCHORED THEREBETWEEN AT THEIR REARMOST ENDS, AND MEANS AT THE FORWARD END OF SAID BODY FOR ADMITTING AIR BETWEEN SAID FORWARDMOST SEGMENTS WHEREBY UPON FLIGHT OF THE PROJECTILE SAID FORWARDMOST SEGMENTS SEPARATE AND SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS ARE DRAWN THROUGH AND TEAR THE 